tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86515568389583580742024-03-13T23:56:45.712-07:00THE BARE NECESSITIESBare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-7182692231294342572016-04-18T08:44:00.000-07:002016-04-19T02:44:05.781-07:00WE REACHED 10,000<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-OcgkYGBBmkMlbO21EFbK_ENiOni0jf8BpS0ZaGxAgr2hOw6KyfnfR0fE1zyvA4jPeMEXFdQXBx4EGa_hdNLX5wOgNbFRkU056LCMSvcadi1LljTdm21jkSAmJHUhXBV_OIcnnSU2lA/s1600/eggs+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-OcgkYGBBmkMlbO21EFbK_ENiOni0jf8BpS0ZaGxAgr2hOw6KyfnfR0fE1zyvA4jPeMEXFdQXBx4EGa_hdNLX5wOgNbFRkU056LCMSvcadi1LljTdm21jkSAmJHUhXBV_OIcnnSU2lA/s1600/eggs+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>molded pulp egg carton: 100% cellulose, 100% biodegradable</i></div>
<br />
Dear All,<br />
I delivered Round 2 of our petition [<a href="https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-use-of-plastic-packaging-for-organic-produce" target="_blank">Ban the Use of Plastic Packaging for Organic Produce</a>] on April 14th, 2016 to the NOSB. <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=AMS-NOP-15-0085-2680" target="_blank">Here</a> is the link to my comment & proposal accompanying the delivery.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>We reached our temporary goal of 10,000 signatures for the Spring
meeting which will take place at the end of April - hurray!! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I will keep you updated on the discussions / decisions made at the meeting, once the minutes get published.<b> </b>Meanwhile,
a huge THANK YOU for all your support in advocating for a healthier
system. As before, the petition remains open, & will do so until the
situation improves.<br />
<br />
Warmly,<br />
The Bare Necessities<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/nosb-spring-2016-meeting-washington-dc" target="_blank">NOSB spring meeting page</a>, if you'd like to attend in person in Washington, DC, April 25-27, 2016.<br />
<br />
Note: huge heartfelt thank yous to the amazing ladies below - without them this petition wouldn't have the size it has today!<br />
<br />
In alphabetical order:<br />
- Ariana, creator of <a href="http://www.paris-to-go.com/" target="_blank">Paris to Go</a><br />
- Bea, creator of <a href="http://www.zerowastehome.com/" target="_blank">Zero Waste Home</a><br />
- Beth, creator of <a href="http://myplasticfreelife.com/" target="_blank">My Plastic Free Life</a><br />
- Elizabeth, editorial director of the <a href="http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/" target="_blank">Plastic Pollution Coalition</a> <br />
- Inge, creator of <a href="http://www.gruenish.com/" target="_blank">Gruenish</a> and the <a href="http://zerowastebloggersnetwork.com/" target="_blank">Zero Waste Blogger Network</a><br />
- Lauren, creator of <a href="http://www.trashisfortossers.com/" target="_blank">Trash is for Tossers</a> Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-80497135267183750912016-04-06T07:29:00.002-07:002016-04-06T07:34:29.120-07:00PETITION ROUND 2!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wR0WOmNYUbmFySiSkpyyWAjti02s6WwRcl6lroVamx3IHoU8lFUa0Mt88XUq_llUZjkS8hT1iEK2ryZtnYADIFlgZRhNb-kY9AR0co4BGEmWyvad-I1JDAwHRBwIPVDIPYmG_WCTv2U/s1600/garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wR0WOmNYUbmFySiSkpyyWAjti02s6WwRcl6lroVamx3IHoU8lFUa0Mt88XUq_llUZjkS8hT1iEK2ryZtnYADIFlgZRhNb-kY9AR0co4BGEmWyvad-I1JDAwHRBwIPVDIPYmG_WCTv2U/s1600/garlic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>3 heads of organic garlic</b><br />
<br />
time to consume: <i>2 weeks</i><br />
material: <i>mesh = polyethylene (PE)</i><i><br />
label = paper<br />
staples = </i><i>steel</i><br />
time to decompose: <i>PE = hundreds of years<br />
paper = 1 to 3 months<br />
steel = corrodes depending on
environmental conditions</i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Dear All,<br />
Sorry for the immense length of time that went by since the last post.<br />
We were super busy turning into <a href="http://www.studiohabeascorpus.com/" target="_blank">Studio Habeas Corpus</a>; more on that later I promise.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, GREAT NEWS on the petition front: <br />
<i>the topic of Packaging substances used in organic food handling IS on
the agenda of the upcoming spring meeting of the NOSB</i> [National Organic
Standards Board], which will be held April 25-27, 2016, in Washington
DC.<br />
<br />
Right before the NOSB's last meeting in the fall of 2015, I had delivered our first 4,500 signatures. Our petition remained OPEN after that, and for very good reason:
polluting packaging is an ongoing problem, and we're only at the
beginning of the fight toward the phasing out of plastics & metals
in organic food packaging.<br />
<br />
<b>SO, THIS IS ROUND 2 - let's aim for 10,000 signatures! We're calling on all past signers to become motors of
this change, by doing a sequence of simple things, BEFORE APRIL 14th, 2016:</b><br />
<br />
1) <a href="https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-use-of-plastic-packaging-for-organic-produce" target="_blank">SIGN</a> if you haven't already<a href="https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-use-of-plastic-packaging-for-organic-produce/u/15781514" target="_blank"></a><br />
2) SHARE if you have already signed, on all social media possible. I cannot emphasize how important it is to share - this is where the momentum happens. <b>If possible, share repetitively</b> at a few
days interval, to bring more visibility at different times for different
people; <b>also, remember to ask other people to sign AND share</b>! If you are not on social media, consider copying this text in an email to friends who might be interested in signing.<br />
3) <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=AMS-NOP-15-0085-0001" target="_blank">COMMENT on the public platform of the NOSB</a> (click on the 'Comment Now!' button at top right) before April 14th (1 week left)<br />
<br />
4) <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/nosb-spring-2016-meeting-washington-dc" target="_blank">GO TO THE MEETING</a> if you are in the area & SPEAK YOUR MIND IN PERSON (you can <a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ecc69cz70570249f&llr=5eqfe4dab" target="_blank">reserve a slot for oral comments here</a> before April 14th (1 week left)<br />
<br />
<br />
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT!!!<br />
Together, let's get rid of the materials polluting our lives.<br />
<br />
Warmly,<br />
The Bare Necessities<br />
<br />
<br />
Useful links:<br />
<br />
- <a href="https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-use-of-plastic-packaging-for-organic-produce" target="_blank">Petition</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/nosb-spring-2016-meeting-washington-dc" target="_blank">Washington, DC, Spring Meeting Details</a> <br />
- <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=AMS-NOP-15-0085-0001" target="_blank">Written comment</a><br />
- <a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ecc69cz70570249f&llr=5eqfe4dab" target="_blank">Oral comment</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Note: from conversations with the NOSB's main office, it appears that since the NOSB board members are all volunteers, they might not have time to research topics<br />
>>> therefore, consumers / commenters, besides stating their wishes, are welcome to provide <b>background info & evidence</b> (for example by pointing to scientific material & studies) and even <b>propose action plans themselves. <br /><br />I personally will propose a </b><b>BEST PRACTICE OBLIGATION for starters: </b>that all organic producers / handlers (including dairy) should adopt the least polluting practice <i>currently </i>on the market. [for example: all organic eggs switch to the paper pulp boxes, and plastic egg boxes stop being used]. This
should be the easiest to visualize and implement, since there is no research
/ innovation involved, and the proof that it works is already on the market. <b>Feel free to copy this and suggest this Best Practice Obligation if you feel so enclined.</b>Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-40306626863950760192016-02-01T07:41:00.001-08:002016-02-01T07:46:09.652-08:00SAVE THE BULK APP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC_fp24Uan-E6s0tCq1dQnwcwxtIzsFS1bHBFqtBILApm4iDEJGgOJ3yJgo6b8uchy-ekwkpQAUR6_o_TdqVqTyuvZ2goTvK4AHxVW1Boiaz972CvIuxrBFkI9wqwtprnzDNGuPlCwMw/s1600/bulk4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC_fp24Uan-E6s0tCq1dQnwcwxtIzsFS1bHBFqtBILApm4iDEJGgOJ3yJgo6b8uchy-ekwkpQAUR6_o_TdqVqTyuvZ2goTvK4AHxVW1Boiaz972CvIuxrBFkI9wqwtprnzDNGuPlCwMw/s1600/bulk4.png" /></a></div>
The great <a href="http://www.zerowastehome.com/">Zero Waste Home</a>'s Bea Johnson is launching a <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-the-bulk-app#/">call</a> to get her <a href="http://www.zerowastehome.com/2013/04/our-bulk-locator-app-is-out.html">BULK app</a> to the next level, i.e. have the real legit app life that it deserves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjW1IF3gVduKSY_7M1XMvQrtLnxNeiNd2HtH-SrvwcweAOsJ_FSjkKh6i-dWpgHxFE6QQb65InOix-wccP2FCSsu8P46jmYr510MnfdWvf2wye-K-xByNwn8Rw5cWQECTcYnGNStzipSg/s1600/bulk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjW1IF3gVduKSY_7M1XMvQrtLnxNeiNd2HtH-SrvwcweAOsJ_FSjkKh6i-dWpgHxFE6QQb65InOix-wccP2FCSsu8P46jmYr510MnfdWvf2wye-K-xByNwn8Rw5cWQECTcYnGNStzipSg/s1600/bulk.png" /></a></div>
In a nutshell, it's an app that answers the zero-waste person's basic need:<br />
<b>map the locations of all available bulk food near you (solid AND liquid)</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZxgxXJQNBLFnuL4Qp3M6PX_7_ARrg_Ea8eOpwAY5gd3JwkJ-su_I0WRB1Q97tD1qZxWgKy6jls6BZbH5p_41vaSl53ITgl2FtEXoaWwNjySFddXQqm0AOEQuFVGPk29UptJAeam3ZXw/s1600/bulk2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZxgxXJQNBLFnuL4Qp3M6PX_7_ARrg_Ea8eOpwAY5gd3JwkJ-su_I0WRB1Q97tD1qZxWgKy6jls6BZbH5p_41vaSl53ITgl2FtEXoaWwNjySFddXQqm0AOEQuFVGPk29UptJAeam3ZXw/s1600/bulk2.png" /></a></div>
These are exciting times for the zero-waste / minimal lifestyle communities: we're able to unite & support one another to create change. This app is one big step - let's all try to make it happen. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
FUND IT <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-the-bulk-app#/">HERE</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SHARE THE LOVE ON ALL OUR PLATFORMS!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4ZiDMDO3Ls4K4LUIrdAxK5HAKmU_4UTOiitp90eBY2U_UijSLB-JuLq0syZjJg8fKvvXovQj2tcpOPD146-8oNjifP35wCzGL-6MBzthSZOf3mrYFBNbVwcMrd0coj02u_K8CP63l3c/s1600/bulk3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4ZiDMDO3Ls4K4LUIrdAxK5HAKmU_4UTOiitp90eBY2U_UijSLB-JuLq0syZjJg8fKvvXovQj2tcpOPD146-8oNjifP35wCzGL-6MBzthSZOf3mrYFBNbVwcMrd0coj02u_K8CP63l3c/s1600/bulk3.png" /></a></div>
++Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-58289725365880807882015-10-26T12:03:00.001-07:002015-10-26T12:06:42.268-07:00PETITION DELIVERED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJSKStUAXSj59Rt9blJjeGs9DfPe6PsvSGB7buSN1ffN3wricVSwqlQhtl1CkOoebNk3vUJur93bFlnVhTq8drfZPHP6S_W_holPDMU5AXcCXr888J5BQD4oiM7b7BX6uaX7mkCUTDIg/s1600/yogurt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJSKStUAXSj59Rt9blJjeGs9DfPe6PsvSGB7buSN1ffN3wricVSwqlQhtl1CkOoebNk3vUJur93bFlnVhTq8drfZPHP6S_W_holPDMU5AXcCXr888J5BQD4oiM7b7BX6uaX7mkCUTDIg/s1600/yogurt.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 cup of organic yogurt</b><br />
<br />
time to consume: <i>5 minutes</i><br />
material: container<i> =</i><b>
</b><i>polypropylene</i><i> (PP)</i><br />
label =<i>
cardstock</i><br />
<i> </i>lid = <i>aluminum foil</i><br />
time to decompose: <i>container - hundreds of years<br />
label – 2 months <br />
lid – never</i></div>
<br />
<br />
Dear All,<br />
A huge THANK YOU for voicing your opinions on the necessity to move out of plastic & metal packaging for organic produce.<br />
<br />
On October 5th, 2015, I delivered the petition to the National Organic Standards Board
through their comment platform. It is now available to be viewed by all
members of the board <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=AMS-NOP-15-0037-0359">online</a>, and will also be given to them as a hard
copy.<br />
<br />
The NOSB will have their fall meeting starting today! Oct 26-29 (sadly I
cannot attend, but hope many of you will!). We did everything we could
here, through public petitioning, to raise their awareness on the
urgency of the topic. Meeting notes should be published later in the
fall, so keep an eye out here <a data-pass-thru="true" href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/event/nosb-meeting-2015-vt" target="_blank">http://www.ams.usda.gov/event/nosb-meeting-2015-vt</a> and here <a data-pass-thru="true" href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/subcommittees/handling" target="_blank">http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/subcommittees/handling</a>)<br />
<br />
I am leaving the petition OPEN, since plastic packaging is an ongoing problem which needs more and more awareness. So don't hesitate to continue<a href="https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-use-of-plastic-packaging-for-organic-produce"> linking</a> / posting about it.<br />
<br />
Let's continue the good work!<br />
Warm Regards to all,<br />
+++<br />
The Bare Necessities<br />
<br />
<br />
Further actions:<br />
-
SPEAK AT THE MEETING: the most powerful thing you can do, if you are in
Vermont or willing to travel there to attend the meeting in Stowe (Oct
26-29, 2015).<br />
--- reserve a speaking slot here <a data-pass-thru="true" href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ebe5ji6xa75ef6c3&llr=5eqfe4dab" target="_blank">http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ebe5ji6xa75ef6c3&llr=5eqfe4dab</a> <br />
--- all logistical info here <a data-pass-thru="true" href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/event/nosb-meeting-2015-vt" target="_blank">http://www.ams.usda.gov/event/nosb-meeting-2015-vt</a>Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-75822188273473651402015-09-10T08:43:00.003-07:002015-09-11T04:54:13.130-07:00SIGN THE PETITION !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG-LEi4quY94GO-l9ny_F7Te0B4yrNL22e9H3H3D9ul4aahJLANsGOCPiOWes6CWdANSQdizImawJtrwWAUGY7CNhr5W1j3xsA_0qaTr_ohEMwptTbuBChti8x1xsDiS6NKTL3vEc1kA/s1600/lemon+mesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG-LEi4quY94GO-l9ny_F7Te0B4yrNL22e9H3H3D9ul4aahJLANsGOCPiOWes6CWdANSQdizImawJtrwWAUGY7CNhr5W1j3xsA_0qaTr_ohEMwptTbuBChti8x1xsDiS6NKTL3vEc1kA/s1600/lemon+mesh.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Readers, Minimal Lifestylers and Zero-Waste bloggers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just created the petition<br />
"<a href="https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-use-of-plastic-packaging-for-organic-produce" target="_blank">BAN THE USE OF PLASTIC PACKAGING FOR ORGANIC PRODUCE</a>".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have until October 5th to make our voices heard at the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)! The idea is to put the topic of packaging pollution on the agenda of the next, or following meeting of the NOSB, which creates the guidelines followed by the USDA's National Organic Program in the USA.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please help by adding your
name<br />
<a href="https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-use-of-plastic-packaging-for-organic-produce" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you for your time and care.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+</div>
Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-68180914579329262582015-09-09T16:09:00.001-07:002015-09-10T07:41:30.832-07:00STOP THE PLASTIC PACKAGING OF ORGANIC PRODUCE<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNN9D3F7Sgp5fRQb-16dNEUh7aij4y9XeZZZvgm8vxewAPvCniEjwCw9PRHHOUInOhpRoZoCsiL5N8DmdscvWRJedlDmqBiX-FQOLG6yVxPjJ9pyanKUjz0IUymjItlu5AJJQRXP-KYlk/s1600/styrofoam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNN9D3F7Sgp5fRQb-16dNEUh7aij4y9XeZZZvgm8vxewAPvCniEjwCw9PRHHOUInOhpRoZoCsiL5N8DmdscvWRJedlDmqBiX-FQOLG6yVxPjJ9pyanKUjz0IUymjItlu5AJJQRXP-KYlk/s1600/styrofoam.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div class="photoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
<b>4 organic bananas</b><br />
time to consume: <i>1 week</i><br />
material: <i>wrapping = transparent stretch film (material undisclosed)</i><br />
<i> tray = PS (polystyrene)<br />labels = adhesive paper</i><br />
time to biodegrade: <i>paper = 1-3 months </i><i>plastics = hundreds of years<br /> (source :</i><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradation" target="_blank"><i></i></a><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradation" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradation</a></i></i><i>)</i><i><br /></i>distributor : <i>Market Basket, Demoulas Super Markets, Inc., USA </i><br />
origin of produce : <i>Columbia</i><br />
manufacturer of packaging :<i> Cryovac, Sealed Air corp., USA</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdfu2S2Cus1l502ZEpoZjLPzABWmuCjSVhq_5gZSIpS9fnHgSp5NAv0I_t8ZG6dyb9aO_xSlk-UKlUYk76_MXk_HdEoAqJ1f37g2NjSGNaPH_-DKeKnsC7Zs7Rjk3bL5Adyi-kUOv0mQ/s1600/styrofoam+empty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdfu2S2Cus1l502ZEpoZjLPzABWmuCjSVhq_5gZSIpS9fnHgSp5NAv0I_t8ZG6dyb9aO_xSlk-UKlUYk76_MXk_HdEoAqJ1f37g2NjSGNaPH_-DKeKnsC7Zs7Rjk3bL5Adyi-kUOv0mQ/s1600/styrofoam+empty.jpg" /></a></div>
Organic produce is packaged IN MANY TIMES MORE PLASTIC than conventional produce. <br />
<br />
To use the words of the <a href="http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/the-movement/" target="_blank">Plastic Pollution Coalition</a>:<br />
"- Plastic never goes away<br />
- Plastic spoils our groundwater<br />
- Plastic attracts other pollutants<br />
- Plastic piles up in the environment<br />
- Plastic poisons our food chain<br />
- Plastic affects human health<br />
- Plastic threatens wild life<br />
- Plastic costs billions to abate"<br />
<br />
YET, the consumers probably MOST AWARE of this dire situation, i.e. the consumers making the effort and paying a premium to have a less polluting, more organic/natural lifestyle, are the ones having to consume the MOST PLASTIC when purchasing their food.<br />
<br />
The labelling, transportation, traceability and shelf constraints imposed on organic produce especially, result in fruits and vegetables needing to carry labels and protection against the elements and fraud. This function is important, as it allows to build trust between organic producers, distributors and consumers.<br />
<br />
However, most of the current materials used in organic packaging (styrofoam, polyethylene, aluminum, etc. - gallery <a href="http://thehealthylivingreport.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">here</a>) are environmentally destructive. Beyond a certain scale, organic producers use packaging machines which have been designed to use specific types of plastic elastic bands / labels / meshes, etc, and have little leverage to change the status quo.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>So, how can we act?</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
In the USA, the production and handling of organic produce is regulated by the USDA's <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program" target="_blank">National Organic Program</a>.<br />
This program follows the directions defined by the <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb" target="_blank">NOSB</a> (National Organic Standards Board). This is supposedly a grassroots committee which records public comments & concerns. They meet twice a year, and <b>30 days before each meeting they welcome people's written or oral comments</b>.<br />
<br />
The interesting thing about this system is that:<br />
1) The meetings' agendas are defined independently from the public's comments and concerns. There is no reading of public comments during the meetings either. From what I understand, the comments are handed out at the end for who wishes to read them<br />
2) It's almost impossible to find the page where to submit comments; the average number of comments the NOSB receives for each meeting is 1100 (of about 90,000,000 households who "<a href="http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Markets/US-organic-food-market-to-grow-14-from-2013-18" target="_blank">purchase organic food at least sometimes</a>")<br />
3) However, if an issue is brought up enough times in the comments, they might consider putting it on the next agenda <br />
<br />
<br />
After lengthy phone calls with members of the USDA (who were by the way extremely lovely and patient), here is the info that will allow you to <u>act right now</u>, if you, like me, are concerned by this issue.<br />
- The next meeting of the NOSB is at <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/event/nosb-meeting-2015-vt" target="_blank">the end of October 2015</a><br />
- The comments section for that meeting just opened a few days ago. <b>You have until MONDAY OCTOBER 5th, 2015 to make your voice heard</b>, either in writing or by voice recording.<br />
- GO <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=AMS_FRDOC_0001-1346" target="_blank">HERE</a> and click on the COMMENT NOW! blue button at the top right of the page, to demand:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE PHASING OUT OF PLASTIC PACKAGING FOR ORGANIC PRODUCE</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE OBLIGATION FOR THE ORGANIC INDUSTRY TO INVEST IN TRULY COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS AND HARMLESS TECHNOLOGIES</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE GOVERNMENTAL AND/OR PRIVATE SUPPORT OF MAJOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN PACKAGING.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
- Not "recyclable plastic" (only <a href="http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/the-movement/" target="_blank">8% of plastic gets recycled anyway</a>)<br />
- Not "recycled plastic" (it's still plastic)<br />
- Not "biodegradable plastic" (they are controversial as to their <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradable_plastic" target="_blank">carbon footprint and end result</a>)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DEMAND A FOCUS ON NATURAL FIBERS, NATURAL WAXES, AND MECHANICAL TECHNIQUES, AND ANY OTHER SOLUTION USING EASILY RENEWABLE AND NON POLLUTING ELEMENTS. </b></div>
<br />
Thank you for being here.<br />
++ Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-32540013570611035992015-07-23T10:39:00.002-07:002015-07-24T05:38:18.128-07:00GETTING RID OF JUNK MAIL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmKQsloJ4t0aTRW2reppqgFTKvV9OtQ1fWXeB22i0eXM_6166CEulN0sE_g2x3Ve4dFlIurSS8KrFBXHOQh6rT3LE3k7K2Gxot55vwWtsoTh5YeQRVmZnpD8aQtj_VwneyhW_LzWwDvM/s1600/garbagemailsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmKQsloJ4t0aTRW2reppqgFTKvV9OtQ1fWXeB22i0eXM_6166CEulN0sE_g2x3Ve4dFlIurSS8KrFBXHOQh6rT3LE3k7K2Gxot55vwWtsoTh5YeQRVmZnpD8aQtj_VwneyhW_LzWwDvM/s1600/garbagemailsmall.jpg" /></a></div>
It's polluting and wasteful, and I don't want to spend <a href="http://www.donotmail.org/" target="_blank">8 months of my life</a> dealing with it.<br />
As often in this world, it will take you some energy to fight the system, but if we all do it, we might get results. As to this day, I am practically free of junk mail myself - the one that keeps inundating the house is my husband's (hi, honey!). Let's make it at least useful by using it as an example of how to fight it.<br />
<br />
STEP 0: NEVER EVER GIVE YOUR CONTACT INFO TO COMPANIES IF IT IS NOT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY<br />
Whenever someone or some form asks you for your address and email, SSN, birthdate, etc., <b>take the 1 minute it takes to question it</b>. Why do they need your private info? In most cases you have the right to refuse, and only give what is necessary.<br />
Also, always be on the lookout to uncheck the box "I accept to receive promotional offers, etc". online.<br />
<br />
STEP 1: OPT-OUT OF CREDIT CARD OFFERS (valid for the USA)<br />
This took care of most financial junk mail for me.<br />
<br />
Go this website:<br />
<a href="https://www.optoutprescreen.com/opt_form.cgi" target="_blank">https://www.optoutprescreen.<wbr></wbr>com/opt_form.cgi</a><br />
<br />
or do it by phone:<br />
<b>1–888–567–8688</b><br />
<br />
<b>Important thing to know: </b><a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/complaintdesk/index.html" target="_blank">Complaint Desk</a> checked out <a href="http://www.optoutprescreen.com/" target="_blank">www.optoutprescreen.com</a> and "found, buried in the fine print, that <i>Social Security numbers and birth dates are not required.</i><br />
- Online, simply leave the number and dates <b>off </b>the opt-out form<br />
- By phone, <b>ignore</b> prompts for the number or date and eventually the computer operator continues without it."<br />
<br />
for more info:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optoutprescreen.com" target="_blank"><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr></wbr>Optoutprescreen.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/06/06/how-to-opt-out-of-credit-card-offers-forever/" target="_blank">http://www.getrichslowly.org/<wbr></wbr>blog/2006/06/06/how-to-opt-<wbr></wbr>out-of-credit-card-offers-<wbr></wbr>forever/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
STEP 2: ACCUMULATE & SEE WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH<br />
- Get a box<br />
- Put in there all the junk mail you receive for a few weeks<br />
- Take an hour one morning and set aside all the senders to whom you willingly
gave your contact info - for example your alma mater, clothing brands you naively gave all your information to at the cashier, a local theater or a
journal you subscribed to, a charity you're donating to, etc. <br />
<br />
<br />
STEP3: CALL & ASK TO BE PLACED ON THE NO MAIL LIST<br />
This works for known senders mentionned above. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb46UHQrKbOVJbkPllLnY-M0J3W4fs05pVBRighg9rQ1QhlHzjHabdc0fsAVWdhMBMH4eTF34p4v8bY4BIHKrpX_zquYiwZF-cxZ_Ia-IAo_HQg4Pm21tSN9H4jcJd670ctw0mLV4803U/s1600/toolssmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb46UHQrKbOVJbkPllLnY-M0J3W4fs05pVBRighg9rQ1QhlHzjHabdc0fsAVWdhMBMH4eTF34p4v8bY4BIHKrpX_zquYiwZF-cxZ_Ia-IAo_HQg4Pm21tSN9H4jcJd670ctw0mLV4803U/s1600/toolssmall.jpg" /></a></div>
To not go crazy and keep track, I log all calling info on paper - no duplicates that way. <br />
Here is a downloadable template (lettersize) to make things easier for you:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvielSlkDHuZLFoxsSqEb3PFwXryxCa33C8OavVQLIf6B5_uDbrUZK_IuXexjWnHl0G-00auDQuJ5wN9CpxSchWB8nNI3emFsmaKHHkOrna_dH3GX1HHQRfJDfFstpKmIP8stvdo-RBU/s1600/unsuscribe_list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvielSlkDHuZLFoxsSqEb3PFwXryxCa33C8OavVQLIf6B5_uDbrUZK_IuXexjWnHl0G-00auDQuJ5wN9CpxSchWB8nNI3emFsmaKHHkOrna_dH3GX1HHQRfJDfFstpKmIP8stvdo-RBU/s1600/unsuscribe_list.jpg" /></a><br />
STEP 4: <br />
Companies who work by purchasing people's private
information lists from big data brokers are more tricky - if you call
the pizza company to complain, you're likely to just speak to a powerless employee whose boss doesn't even know who the parent company purchased the direct mailing list from. One thing you can try is call the highest up possible (headquarters).<br />
<br />
Apparently some websites also offer to find these larger sources for you and protect your address. I tested these out today, we'll see how efficient they are:<br />
<a href="https://www.dmachoice.org/" target="_blank">DMA Choice</a> (supposedly takes care of 80% of marketing mail in the US)<br />
<a href="https://www.catalogchoice.org/" target="_blank">Catalog Choice</a><br />
<a href="https://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs4-junk.htm#getofflist" target="_blank">Privacy Rights </a><br />
<br />
If any of you guys have tried them, your feedback would be greatly appreciated.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
WORD OF THE DAY </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is tedious but is worth the extra-time (few hours vs. 8 months, remember ;)</div>
<br />
<br />
GRANDMA TIP<br />
While waiting for the stuff to stop pouring in, you can always collect the perfectly new and usable business reply enveloppes contained in the junk mail. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRGU6FLhaJHc3ujBDbEDXGCGZrzgAS-V6H7LeZcxM-C7gGPAoMe5DbK2Opvc1DZAvm-VSXSiHpCqKnHr3DroZ8gr7RomFeF1WI3uQKLRhRzlACOY703I4FS7uwNvdZCl_HhkxdY-Z-ZU/s1600/enveloppes+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRGU6FLhaJHc3ujBDbEDXGCGZrzgAS-V6H7LeZcxM-C7gGPAoMe5DbK2Opvc1DZAvm-VSXSiHpCqKnHr3DroZ8gr7RomFeF1WI3uQKLRhRzlACOY703I4FS7uwNvdZCl_HhkxdY-Z-ZU/s1600/enveloppes+small.jpg" /></a></div>
Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-67464640663023040502015-05-15T21:17:00.003-07:002015-05-16T14:42:15.894-07:00Saying NO to disposable cups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEzftwYoKAEopIxHygek5AfuUcGZZ_TI9LstLiZ3GAJooJ6OVSNY4qbFsX298E-8v7eA86VR7F8XNGoADx0PgCr8YiENP172l3k7n8YkaSwO3JZG5uZvSCVYD3KBD4CDpk7ITZ_YMFs8/s1600/mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEzftwYoKAEopIxHygek5AfuUcGZZ_TI9LstLiZ3GAJooJ6OVSNY4qbFsX298E-8v7eA86VR7F8XNGoADx0PgCr8YiENP172l3k7n8YkaSwO3JZG5uZvSCVYD3KBD4CDpk7ITZ_YMFs8/s1600/mug.jpg" /></a></div>
Hello all!<br />
Sorry I was away for so long - been in nomadic mode for the past 2 months, with lots of moving in and out - had the internet, but my brain wasn't available to sit down and write.<br />
<br />
During these travelling times, I lived out of a suitcase, which I enjoy because it makes me realize how easily I can live without some items, and which objects are absolutely necessary (more on this later).<br />
<br />
Also, there was a lot of working in coffee shops.<br />
Being the being that I am, naturally I always try to ask loud and clear for drinks FOR HERE, IN A REAL MUG, IN A REAL CERAMIC MUG PLEASE, several times if necessary. Sometimes I'll ask them to put fruit juice into mugs, if they don't have real glasses made of glass.<br />
<br />
Some might argue that real mugs take water & electricity to wash and dry. Sure enough - actually if anyone has studies and numbers to forward me I am very interested in this issue.<br />
<br />
The way I think of disposable cups is the following:<br />
- <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_cup" target="_blank">plastic cups</a> take hundreds of years to decompose & are a product of the fossil fuel industry, which I do not wish to support.<br />
<br />
- the majority of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_cup" target="_blank">"paper" cup</a> are lined with polyethylene (PE), also petroleum based, which prevents both composting and recycling [scary to think that very hot drinks are being poured directly in contact with PE before being drunk(?) by us]. Also, paper cups rarely travel without a brand new sleeve of corrugated cardboard, a lid made of plastic (usually #6 = Polystyrene or #7= Other), and/or a stupid straw (#5 = Polypropylene PP)<br />
<br />
- "compostable" cups (made from plants, etc) will compost only if they are thrown on a compost pile; good luck with that. I live in a pretty progressive town and composting is still far from being a common sight, especially at the city level. If these cups end up in the regular bin, they'll take as much space as the regular plastic ones (most people, me included, do not always crush), which is a burden on the public waste management system, which is paid for with public (our) money.<br />
<br />
- the more we say NO loudly , i.e. express our refusal as customers to be part of the problem, the more companies will have to take our opinion into account, because these material choices will start impacting their own logistics.<br />
<br />
- ceramic mugs / glasses can last centuries (millenia!) if properly taken care of.<br />
<br />
- getting a drink and producing zero waste is a wonderful feeling.<br />
<br />
I try to go to independent local coffee shops instead of (inter)national chains, to encourage local businesses and economies. But it's also important to talk about the big chains, for when they make little moves their impact is huge. So, because Starbucks is <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starbucks" target="_blank">the largest coffee house company in the world</a> </i>and because their employee benefits are <a href="http://www.glassdoor.com/Benefits/Starbucks-US-Benefits-EI_IE2202.0,9_IL.10,12_IN1.htm" target="_blank">not bad</a>, I want to end with this tip for Starbucks customers:<br />
<br />
Starbucks has amazing mugs.<br />
Large, comfy, beautifully shaped ceramic mugs.<br />
All you need to do is ask for them.<br />
<br />
Take care!<br />
++<br />
<br />
ps: the interesting context that made me go to Starbucks in the past few weeks (I used to never go), is the gentrification of my neighborhood - yet another problem. Basically, the closest independent coffee shop increased their prices all of a sudden, becoming more expensive (!!), & with no info on how they compensate their employees.<br />
<br />
pps: the one problem with the Starbucks mugs is that most of them seem manufactured in China. Making / buying local mugs is not difficult, and I wish there was a push in that direction.<br />
<br />
ppps: I am not endorsed by any company. noooo. Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-53101289253481319382015-02-09T16:46:00.000-08:002015-03-07T21:24:45.096-08:00ORIENTAL WAX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI7PiTDsvbbYdbTKi76CDp1o5gytScBPNVU8cqolqAoqTslxvYvVkutF0R0n54XKonA7nFg21J6BEdpjgdjTF_13G0fgkYiabJSoaqpi1139sPvDA_hA4_z8wtnoCbgJ0MHOp6CWKxrk/s1600/oriental+wax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI7PiTDsvbbYdbTKi76CDp1o5gytScBPNVU8cqolqAoqTslxvYvVkutF0R0n54XKonA7nFg21J6BEdpjgdjTF_13G0fgkYiabJSoaqpi1139sPvDA_hA4_z8wtnoCbgJ0MHOp6CWKxrk/s1600/oriental+wax.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugaring_%28epilation%29" target="_blank">Sugaring</a> is an ancient oriental waxing method using a mix of white sugar, lemon juice, salt and water (plus honey if you feel so enclined).<br />
<br />
It was a total pain for years, having to purchase waxing strips from the store (the only ones I can use are full of chemicals, available only in certain countries, and expire/dry up if stored for too long), or gathering the courage to use the noisy, painful electric epilator (<i>here come my army of rotative tweezers, muahaha</i>).<br />
<br />
Sugaring proved a pretty perfect alternative:<br />
- all natural ingredients<br />
- either biodegradable or no waste (lemon peel - ideally salt & sugar are bought in the bulk section)<br />
- ingredients available almost everywhere (if you are travelling and have access to a kitchen, no need to carry hair removal tools / strips in your suitcase).<br />
- cheap (enough quantity for half-legs & armpits would cost $0.76 with organic lemons & celtic sea salt - I used regular lemons and the cheapest salt, so it's even less)<br />
- extremely pleasant to use - sweet smell, warm/soft texture, no noise, hurts much less than other methods<br />
- no loose hairs clean-up needed afterwards - just dispose of the wax ball<br />
<br />
YES, you have to get the hang of it.<br />
I made 10 small batches before understanding how to get the texture right, but it was SO worth it.<br />
<br />
You will find my final recipe below (<i>cause, why not share the joy</i>).<br />
I also suggest watching as many online videos as you can (search for <i>oriental wax, </i>or <i>cire orientale </i>in French), just to understand basics of preparation and waxing technique.<br />
<br />
Another few cents: make it cheap if you need to; but getting the best ingredients, even if only applied to your skin, can do not harm, and it will encourage healthy agricultural practices and businesses, for probably less than a dollar. <br />
<br />
A warm hug to the three oriental ladies who consulted their moms to help me.<br />
I hope this post will make them want to try it at home again!<br />
________________________________________<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>ORIENTAL WAX</b><br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients (this is </b><b>enough for half-legs + armpits):</b><br />
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar<br />
- water (just enough to cover the sugar in the pot - water <i>not above</i> the sugar, just <i>wetting</i> all the sugar)<br />
- 1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice<br />
<b><br />Cooking Process:</b><br />
1. put sugar + water + salt in a small pot > stir with a spoon to melt as much as you can (I think this mixes the salt well and prevents to get unmelted grains of sugar in the final mix)<br />
2. put the pot on medium heat > wait until it boils > at this moment add the lemon juice and stir a bit to mix it in<br />
3. let it boil without changing the heat, until it starts changing color > when it is BLOND (not white, not reddish brown), remove from fire<br />
4. pour in a small bowl (make sure the bowl can handle the heat!) > let it cool down until it's really viscous (stir a couple times with a spoon to test) > when it is so viscous that you can almost make one ball with your spoon, it's ready!!!<br />
<b><br />Using the wax:</b><br />
1. Here is the first big breakthrough that I had after 10 tries:<br />
it's much better to leave the 'base' wax in that bowl as it is, and only take out small balls as you need them when you start waxing. If the 'base' becomes too hard, just warm up the bowl in the double boiler until it softens enough to be scooped out.<br />
<br />
2. Scoop out about a tablespoon of the wax. (use a spoon, and help it with your fingers - don't worry, it's sticky but comes off the skin very easily too). It should still be a bit warm (don't burn yourself!!). Tip: dip your fingers quickly into the remaining half-lemon, it prevents the wax from becoming too sticky and then you can start kneading it with your fingers. [Also, in case you scoop it too early, do not panic: the wax will be extra liquid/sticky, but just keep on kneading, and at some point you'll see you can peel it out easily and cleanly.]<br />
<br />
3. Kneading: second big breakthrough: DO NOT KNEAD TOO MUCH!!!<br />
You just need a few kneading cycles with your fingers - the wax is transparent at the beginning, it will become more opaque, but don't wait until it's completely opaque (that's too late and you'll just be making salt-water taffy :)<br />
Basically STOP kneading when you feel that you have a soft material that can be spread easily, and is a bit sticky, not totally dry. <br />
<br />
4. START HAIR REMOVAL (good tutorial on the gesture at the end of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XciEn1aktJ8" target="_blank">this video</a>) and the wax will actually become perfect AS YOU ARE WAXING. It's handy to have a square of all-natural, unbleached wax paper lying about, for dropping or disposal of the wax ball.<br />
<br />
5. IMPORTANT: always keep that partially used half-lemon next to you. Dip your fingers into it to wet them with a bit of lemon juice, when you manipulate the wax. It helps keeping it not too sticky.<br />
<br />
WASHING UP: <b>gently warm water will dissolve everything</b>; let the pots, dishes and utensils you used sit in warm water for a bit - the sugar will melt and be very easy to clean afterwards; any remainders of wax on your leg (even the failed experiments that can end up covering half your calf) can be easily washed away under the shower. Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-26741691320218161562015-01-31T17:49:00.001-08:002015-02-01T07:54:44.223-08:00IR4 CONVERSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheX-_g1qw6T9Y9EeRNK_ze43Pr6c4asI_Rk9vEgmwPlblzutD3xtsbAAYO5rK4mywcc6ipBI1BPsVDbaRU8YEF3wgle7mzL40s4IFkPUYzDZ62avRkAfcL2CR88Z7navU0KH-sKk0Yos0/s1600/IR4+converse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheX-_g1qw6T9Y9EeRNK_ze43Pr6c4asI_Rk9vEgmwPlblzutD3xtsbAAYO5rK4mywcc6ipBI1BPsVDbaRU8YEF3wgle7mzL40s4IFkPUYzDZ62avRkAfcL2CR88Z7navU0KH-sKk0Yos0/s1600/IR4+converse.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehOopm06lf-_MROID2Q1c_cpM4T5RmaxGfDZ8qCQjEv2Aef4AIjtXFWoCKyPrDAHVz1_7FgEpuA01HiveRw3gpI0p3_AeX8m_MGlMaSdvVNURCb7QpHT8Rx1UiuoY7oWJBX-bahyphenhyphenqEMA/s1600/IR4+converse+text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehOopm06lf-_MROID2Q1c_cpM4T5RmaxGfDZ8qCQjEv2Aef4AIjtXFWoCKyPrDAHVz1_7FgEpuA01HiveRw3gpI0p3_AeX8m_MGlMaSdvVNURCb7QpHT8Rx1UiuoY7oWJBX-bahyphenhyphenqEMA/s1600/IR4+converse+text.jpg" /></a></div>
A few weeks ago I introduced you to IR4 (<a href="http://thebarenecessitiesblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/introducing-ir4.html" target="_blank">Industrial Revolution #4</a>): 10 principles for future design and manufacturing.<br />
Today, here is the first of a series of 'ideal objects', where I either feature objects that already follow the principles of IR4, or imagine what a popular mass-produced item would be if it was IR4 compliant.<br />
<br />
So there you have it: the IR4 Converse <a href="http://www.converse.com/regular/chuck-taylor-classic-colors/MP_50.html" target="_blank">Chuck Taylor</a> sneaker.<br />
I am not endorsed by Converse.<br />
I chose this shoe because it is a great example of a simply made, daily item which is manufactured in great quantities - internet claims that 750 to 800 million pairs have been sold worldwide [when you quickly search for these number online]. Also important to note, it is a vegan shoe!<br />
<br />
So, tons of potential: a few changes in its manufacturing process could have a big material and human impact.<br />
<br />
The pair I own has the following characteristics:<br />
- made in Vietnam<br />
- cotton canvas upper<br />
- cotton canvas lining <br />
- natural rubber sole<br />
- metal eyelets<br />
-synthetic shoelaces (polyester?)<br />
From the multiple pairs I have worn out, the shoe gives in at the junction between the sole and the upper. The eyelets are intact but have to be thrown away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMd3uqFOq56e1A2iarNPf8uS2AdyqPgLj8EAv8EiPBDFf5XrYsMoW2LnQ0-4r9IIv-bqwS6H4Ssp-G9UvrRzcKFtG5upV2wMxK40C4DqcQhyKc54e0RgevR71SjJK_HKa6CWv4UbXIdhQ/s1600/IR4+converse+inside+text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMd3uqFOq56e1A2iarNPf8uS2AdyqPgLj8EAv8EiPBDFf5XrYsMoW2LnQ0-4r9IIv-bqwS6H4Ssp-G9UvrRzcKFtG5upV2wMxK40C4DqcQhyKc54e0RgevR71SjJK_HKa6CWv4UbXIdhQ/s1600/IR4+converse+inside+text.jpg" /></a></div>
Its IR4 counterpart, would be something like this:<br />
- made in USA (or your local country)<br />
- undyed hemp canvas upper (grown in the USA)<br />
- undyed hemp muslin lining (grown in the USA)<br />
- natural guayule rubber sole (grown in the USA)<br />
- embroidered eyelets made of undyed hemp thread (grown in the USA) <br />
- undyed hemp shoelaces<br />
Nothing mined. Local crops which require zero or low inputs of water & pesticides. Completely biodegradable. Super strong.<br />
<br />
Utopia sounds so simple.Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-13607058922203687812015-01-16T09:43:00.004-08:002015-01-16T16:45:53.271-08:00PATCHING POST #2: MENDING JEANS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrc1P0PR7qmis8kLa-lZLAKwpz-UDC51rtKYN2KL1K9oDPidTNLsOvNtiDcwxMa02qsY9axuzbujvuMGFLFwRvIH2PYbUScoognV01FZ7VwTXnOIcwRihtDRt9Xm8fxRZfQ45mzvXHkQ/s1600/01_jeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrc1P0PR7qmis8kLa-lZLAKwpz-UDC51rtKYN2KL1K9oDPidTNLsOvNtiDcwxMa02qsY9axuzbujvuMGFLFwRvIH2PYbUScoognV01FZ7VwTXnOIcwRihtDRt9Xm8fxRZfQ45mzvXHkQ/s1600/01_jeans.jpg" /></a></div>
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Regular jeans are probably the most widespread, mendable item still owned in the western world. By 'regular' jeans, I mean: made of strong, non-stretch cotton <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twill" target="_blank">twill</a>. </div>
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Unsurprisingly, the current mending renaissance is happening big time through the denim world. Check out the beautiful repair
corner of the japanese clothing brand <a href="http://kapital.jp/artscraftsnew/" target="_blank">Kapital</a>, or the mending gallery from the stitcher <a href="http://www.darnanddusted.com/gallery/" target="_blank">Darn and Dusted.</a> </div>
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This made me think about <b>a major principle of the repair/re-use economy</b> (if we ever manage to create one): <b>it just can't exist if the objects exchanged are not of the best quality</b>. Things cannot and will not be repaired if they aren't sturdy enough to handle that repair, and/or if their beauty and quality isn't worth the time it will take to mend them. One more reason to acquire thoughtfully, and encourage the making of good goods.<br />
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Current repair happening in the home shop:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU20nel2mK-CTSjM6tX9KH7OPDHxmEibLmpTfgnG98dDUygjIndifuQ4b7i5V1ZWhvgYpsz3PJpE3RuhdauKNexJG_T1Nq3BjrwvGhgKCPX4AbfZn1jDBkM34RoEhe6A4AplJRT5J9vY/s1600/02_both.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU20nel2mK-CTSjM6tX9KH7OPDHxmEibLmpTfgnG98dDUygjIndifuQ4b7i5V1ZWhvgYpsz3PJpE3RuhdauKNexJG_T1Nq3BjrwvGhgKCPX4AbfZn1jDBkM34RoEhe6A4AplJRT5J9vY/s1600/02_both.jpg" /></a></div>
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LEFT LEG repaired by the people at our dry-cleaning place - with a sewing machine, for $10.</div>
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RIGHT LEG repaired by yours truly - by hand, with love. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnFU7xZoKgGOy7KjFURE2hFNQ8RZeY9MWrbwFBCtupUX-4rjuBS4fWXflTK19DwMeszXBkJ_S6nThXQw0S0UumLPEbOK9Hnge2Fbmt1iS4EMdlpNDT1XF7kagnz44mljwXyQK0tsD-Qo/s1600/05_dry+cleaning+front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnFU7xZoKgGOy7KjFURE2hFNQ8RZeY9MWrbwFBCtupUX-4rjuBS4fWXflTK19DwMeszXBkJ_S6nThXQw0S0UumLPEbOK9Hnge2Fbmt1iS4EMdlpNDT1XF7kagnz44mljwXyQK0tsD-Qo/s1600/05_dry+cleaning+front.jpg" /></a></div>
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LEFT LEG FRONT: almost exactly matching thread - wow</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4unvP52H6zhqAulJPLCPDHv45xBv4TWCf-SswW6qxWw_IzIAPduUQstkVSV3lHtPFdBHK0KaQ5ybrUZMaBtxHU31czuLI8PJiR_3Ssq-BD8_gBOnNI9onueX_QY6xRr3S7K1Wy4ZtQc/s1600/06_dry+cleaning+back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4unvP52H6zhqAulJPLCPDHv45xBv4TWCf-SswW6qxWw_IzIAPduUQstkVSV3lHtPFdBHK0KaQ5ybrUZMaBtxHU31czuLI8PJiR_3Ssq-BD8_gBOnNI9onueX_QY6xRr3S7K1Wy4ZtQc/s1600/06_dry+cleaning+back.jpg" /></a></div>
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LEFT LEG BACK: denim patch (probably less comfortable, but strong) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRgP6kFayiyRTLf8QU7jkeBDeFDMA6NV4feqGHB39SeS695DmFv1Mg6WfU8Ri9NHFJr_p_dkOO2CT3R_zvotXQxGz7DIU-u5E9QbI3-oQ-H5Ml84CJKr226eu8RY7MIGATtkJs16SYQo/s1600/03_sashiko+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRgP6kFayiyRTLf8QU7jkeBDeFDMA6NV4feqGHB39SeS695DmFv1Mg6WfU8Ri9NHFJr_p_dkOO2CT3R_zvotXQxGz7DIU-u5E9QbI3-oQ-H5Ml84CJKr226eu8RY7MIGATtkJs16SYQo/s1600/03_sashiko+front.jpg" /></a></div>
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RIGHT LEG FRONT: cotton thread colors available in the house</div>
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<i>note: the big black stitches are temporary basting holding an unfinished patch above the knee </i></div>
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RIGHT LEG BACK: the soft, double cotton canvas patch.</div>
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Still working on an extra patch covering the thigh.</div>
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Can I just warmly express how <b>enjoyable </b>an activity this kind of mending is?</div>
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The stitch isn't complicated, you make progress fast, and the peaceful rhythm of stitching is absolutely calming. I used this <a href="http://sashikostitchers.com/how-to-sashiko-stitch/" target="_blank">sashiko tutorial</a>.</div>
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Just let go, and listen to <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/" target="_blank">the radio</a>.</div>
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sorry, just the bit I need to paste for bloglovin to register this site: </div>
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13392701/?claim=bkk5s7snv7f">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-16474945059666391732015-01-10T10:16:00.002-08:002015-01-10T10:18:27.214-08:00WARDROBE INVENTORY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaLXcRXvlfBh15rv7niQbd0ltYMwILEbf9i1AeznJ5Ro8VHLElkntrv973NkB6wk1et7Oy2we9wgGe6cnSx5zCybmpHWk7lItd7XX2s3TB8RHVfDAqJSwsgWLZ_D_P0FhW8ZtNQNZ4gU/s1600/wardrobe+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaLXcRXvlfBh15rv7niQbd0ltYMwILEbf9i1AeznJ5Ro8VHLElkntrv973NkB6wk1et7Oy2we9wgGe6cnSx5zCybmpHWk7lItd7XX2s3TB8RHVfDAqJSwsgWLZ_D_P0FhW8ZtNQNZ4gU/s1600/wardrobe+cards.jpg" /></a></div>
It's on!<br />
After reading some excellent pages on minimalist wardrobe websites such as <a href="http://into-mind.com/" target="_blank">Into-Mind</a>, <a href="http://theproject333.com/" target="_blank">Project 333</a> and <a href="http://www.un-fancy.com/" target="_blank">Un-Fancy</a> (thanks to a friend who pointed them to me), I have finally decided to <b>take stock of my wardrobe. </b><br />
<br />
The goal being (and this is totally personal):<br />
1) identifying useful-successful garments and understanding why, so as to make better informed acquisitions in the future<br />
2) identifying useless-unsuccessful garments and understanding why, and then getting them out of the house by donating or selling them<br />
3) understanding the minimum number of garments I can function with<br />
<br />
It was a scary thought.<br />
Like diving into a messy pile of reasonned vs. impulse purchases, more or less successful attempts at a redefinition of myself, things that had just accumulated and never got worn, things that had gotten overly overly worn, items I was clinging on for the wrong reasons, and a heavy sprinkle of memories.<br />
On the other hand I knew I had been pretty good (verging on the obsessive) in the past few years about buying ethically and locally made clothes, and mostly natural fibers.<br />
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<b>To make the process less daunting I made it playful</b>: got all the draft paper I could put my hands on at home, cut it into <b>cards</b>, and sat in front of the wardrobe with a pen.<br />
Made a card for each item of clothing I had, with the same 5 pieces of information:<br />
- LITTLE SKETCH <br />
- NAME<br />
- MATERIAL<br />
- PLACE OF MANUFACTURING<br />
- COLOR<br />
I figure that once all created, the cards will be a useful tool to sort through the wardrobe (put them all on a table, start sorting)<br />
<br />
This made me realize how <b>crucial the information on the inside labels</b> is (and also how some brands get away with never telling you where the clothes are made). It's a tricky one because I dislike labels intensely: very often they itch, are made of a synthetic material different from the clothes themselves, and are stitched inside a garment's seam (so if you want to remove them you'll need to close a hole afterwards). Food for thought - form to be improved.<br />
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Also, there were<b> items I couldn't find a name for</b><i> </i>('hum, this is too thin to be a sweater, too structured to be a t-shirt, too light to be worn <i>over </i>other clothes, too full of zippers to be worn <i>under</i> clothes, gosh <i>what is it</i>?' - surprise surprise, it never got worn).<br />
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Still in the process of compiling all that info.<br />
More wardrobe-editing posts to follow. Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-9106759457596141812015-01-06T16:29:00.001-08:002015-01-06T18:55:45.195-08:00INTRODUCING IR4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYMU1ybIG1111ifE4aWMuo1jRyH6jRCMzejG1x7fRDYKDtGvwJ9ZUm8pLPZJV6kYhYmB1GuMImbR6WlggQiTRm_Az4hogJBWWX1x1wZs2uwKeYpdBFMzcg7qYCzKpYdAs1VkO86zztGY/s1600/IR4+pin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYMU1ybIG1111ifE4aWMuo1jRyH6jRCMzejG1x7fRDYKDtGvwJ9ZUm8pLPZJV6kYhYmB1GuMImbR6WlggQiTRm_Az4hogJBWWX1x1wZs2uwKeYpdBFMzcg7qYCzKpYdAs1VkO86zztGY/s1600/IR4+pin.png" height="400" width="309" /></a></div>
It seems we need a total change of paradigm.<br />
So many of us are making so much effort to navigate the current material
world, every day, because it's too polluting, too socially unfair, too
wasteful. <br />
<br />
Consumption needs to change for sure. But production needs to change too.<br />
<br />
Very roughly (and condensed by yours truly from <a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9volution_industrielle#Premi.C3.A8re_r.C3.A9volution_industrielle" target="_blank">wikipedia</a>), there have been three successive industrial revolutions already:<br />
- from the 1750s, with steam power, ship transport, textile, steel<br />
- from the 1820s, with electricity, oil, the reciprocating engine,
automobiles, railroad transport - global production doubled its pace<br />
- from the 1970s, with the internet, microprocessors, computers -
delocalization became possible, plants moved out of industrialized
countries, the financial & communications sector flourished, social
inequalities rose.<br />
<br />
I believe we now need <b>Industrial Revolution #4 (IR4)</b>: the
generalization of environmentally and socially viable low-tech
solutions, made as locally as possible, in the context of necessarily
frugal consumption.<br />
<br />
<b>1. minimum material</b> - i.e. do not over-engineer, use the minimum amount of material that will do the job safely<i> > saves material</i><br />
<br />
<b>2. least harmful material</b> - choose the material with the least embodied energy, the most renewable source, the least risk on health <i>> protects the environment and its inhabitants</i><br />
<br />
<b>3. least processed material</b> - use materials as raw and mono-material as you can find them, avoid using or creating composites <i>> makes waste sorting, recycling and upcycling easier; lowers costs.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>4. most local labor force</b> - employ the qualified people nearest to you, or train the people nearest to you <i>> supports local economy, reduces carbon footprint, reinforces & creates communities</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>5. no harming of labor force</b> - do not kill, abuse, or exploit
people; offer compensation sufficient to make a decent living,
make the job safe in terms of materials, processes, and schedules;
ensure a caring, supportive environment <i>> honors basic human rights and relationships</i><br />
<br />
<b>6. equitable distribution of revenue</b> - strive to create horizontal partnerships instead of vertical ones, give back cooperatively the profit created cooperatively <i>> expresses respect for all types of work, makes everybody engaged in the enterprise</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>7. function, safety, sustainability, over aesthetics</b> - do not let
aesthetics / fashion / future media coverage have an influence on your
design process strong enough to make you weaken your commitment to
making good objects <i>> prevents going back to the situation we are trying to get away from.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>8. full biodegradability OR full reusability of parts</b> - do not
think of objects are individual finished goods, but as a temporary
assembly of ressources, belonging to a vast material cycle <i>> allows for composting; otherwise makes waste sorting, recycling and upcycling easier</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>9. maximum repairability</b> - planned-obsolescence is forbidden. <i>> reduces labor and material waste, maximizes return on investment into product, creates repair service jobs</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>10. no harming of animals</b> - do not kill nor abuse living things;
avoid animal material if you can, otherwise make sure what you take from
them does not prevent their best livelyhood <i>> respects all forms of life</i><br />
<br />
Naturally not ALL things can be made following these principles, but if <a href="http://thebarenecessitiesblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-age-of-low-tech.html" target="_blank">we try to at least transform all the ones we can</a>, we might end up in better shape.<br />
<br />
Wishing you IR4 new years to come.Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-48580878508404605542014-12-24T07:14:00.000-08:002014-12-24T07:17:17.530-08:00HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykparBdpbugFdac3I5x4uZDIYlLYB92IATpAcV88ImUeH0r3-ZmMTa3EdXIU9Sln0_Fu1lu5DIbobk6zBddWk6tKLcnrHmc1rulLVVuKRXHjRZBhOM3hmuHPVOZC7er_jOaGO6LWyDEg/s1600/4-deco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykparBdpbugFdac3I5x4uZDIYlLYB92IATpAcV88ImUeH0r3-ZmMTa3EdXIU9Sln0_Fu1lu5DIbobk6zBddWk6tKLcnrHmc1rulLVVuKRXHjRZBhOM3hmuHPVOZC7er_jOaGO6LWyDEg/s1600/4-deco.jpg" /></a></div>
Last year we didn't have a christmas tree. This year we thought it would be fun to have one, but didn't want to kill a tree or purchase anything new.<br />
So here it is !!!<br />
Our uplight transformed into a tree, using only stuff that was lying around the house:<br />
- the structure is made of reed, jute string and white paper tape<br />
- the ornaments are made mostly of draft paper and used giftwraps (tissue paper, cardboard & ribbons) that we have been keeping over the years; the ties are made with cotton thread from our sewing kit.<br />
It was so much fun to make - pinterest was great to research origami and celtic knots tutorials.<br />
The rest was just imagination, memories from childhood crafts, and making do with what was there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylSUYl7zt_rmO0RgvaTxW-Awz41x_UwavHJNh2l9ZMfOm23SsHdq0epNojxxv679NQO3rggZKeTg_qhPYChUeHJWwodIJn65OxzlaOe_DzLXMM9KrjFB76cMQ1CZreq-oq9PbIpMwl8A/s1600/1-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylSUYl7zt_rmO0RgvaTxW-Awz41x_UwavHJNh2l9ZMfOm23SsHdq0epNojxxv679NQO3rggZKeTg_qhPYChUeHJWwodIJn65OxzlaOe_DzLXMM9KrjFB76cMQ1CZreq-oq9PbIpMwl8A/s1600/1-tree.jpg" /></a></div>
Happy Holidays !!!<br />
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Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-20447908864299095902014-12-20T10:30:00.003-08:002014-12-20T10:32:27.146-08:00FRUIT & VEGGIES GROCERY BAGS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0IRFzigDREsrWahTgqt7wN3cD4bkz6AjYiqq_98SWfYyaxi32u-3XwtLp0OSFjKmhjeShfJrC6wMuR-GmhwohKpen2XejzJcUMDJuxnyk_PSN64LcIWIy6uv-lH5yAZ21FQMLGvJOnU/s1600/bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0IRFzigDREsrWahTgqt7wN3cD4bkz6AjYiqq_98SWfYyaxi32u-3XwtLp0OSFjKmhjeShfJrC6wMuR-GmhwohKpen2XejzJcUMDJuxnyk_PSN64LcIWIy6uv-lH5yAZ21FQMLGvJOnU/s1600/bags.jpg" /></a></div>
Finally finally I took the step of purchasing small reusable bags for fruits and vegetables.<br />
(found them at <a href="http://blackinkboston.squarespace.com/black-ink-cambridge/" target="_blank">this store</a> - they are supposed to be tool bags (?), according to the owner)<br />
<br />
These are the bag-within-a-bag kind: they are replacing the thin plastic bags that are offered to pack fresh produce in the supermarket - we were getting absolutely overwhelmed with their number (as opposed to the thicker ones, which we had already managed to reduce by bringing in reusable shopping bags).<br />
<br />
I got 5 of them to start with. They are 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25 cm), which comfortably fits 5-6 oranges / apples at the time - the amount I usually get when grocery shopping.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNpyEKxy_CD8sW9380Q1OjdTc8fj4LvVFxGUValD050KPfmm4JsRj_rVmsopN81_SwiMbgQXXxFw6yM_hBEG3wBCPqFxMkV-79WUAKQKMtGtL374hz20YHNFUG0ZNi0pOmFq-mHgyKxs/s1600/bags2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNpyEKxy_CD8sW9380Q1OjdTc8fj4LvVFxGUValD050KPfmm4JsRj_rVmsopN81_SwiMbgQXXxFw6yM_hBEG3wBCPqFxMkV-79WUAKQKMtGtL374hz20YHNFUG0ZNi0pOmFq-mHgyKxs/s1600/bags2.jpg" /></a></div>
So excited about this.<br />
However mine seem made of 100% cotton with a cotton string, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were imported from faraway (cost was around $2 each).<br />
<br />
Advantages over plastic:<br />
- no noise<br />
- soft to the touch<br />
- can be washed with all your other clothes in the laundry<br />
- super strong<br />
- lasts for years and years and years<br />
- no pollution / waste during its use time<br />
<br />
<b>If you wish to have a really sustainable version of these, I recommend making your own out of hemp or linen muslin. </b>Cotton is just too much of a pesticide and water intensive crop (unless you get it organic, from non-irrigated fields), whereas hemp is truly good (grows without any chemicals and cleans the soil naturally).<br />
<br />
I was too lazy and impatient to make them myself, but that's really not an excuse (a lot of the ugly state of the environment today is directly linked to the fact that we're lazy and impatient). Apologies.Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-75945595976670907572014-12-13T12:24:00.005-08:002014-12-13T12:32:40.842-08:00UPS will take your packing peanuts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJQZ70AEQlE_hIFA1b1i59BHoOL2k3rCdeHmWsivD5YdEM1ue0B-WH4uIuQSAEEkjo5sgjVjxWKweT0fsrnmnVTGAC_d89mtYLZweO64_ZONq6S1U1LBZUlhAqsm-Y9jOqAQaFNzOlbs/s1600/peanuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJQZ70AEQlE_hIFA1b1i59BHoOL2k3rCdeHmWsivD5YdEM1ue0B-WH4uIuQSAEEkjo5sgjVjxWKweT0fsrnmnVTGAC_d89mtYLZweO64_ZONq6S1U1LBZUlhAqsm-Y9jOqAQaFNzOlbs/s1600/peanuts.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
It seems that <a href="http://www.theupsstore.com/Pages/locations.aspx" target="_blank">UPS stores</a> will gladly take off your hands:</div>
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<br />
<div>
- packing peanuts </div>
<div>
- air-filled plastic pillows</div>
<div>
- cardboard boxes</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I just dropped off a bag full of polystyrene peanuts (which I couldn't have disposed of properly at all - polystyrene foam is a bitch, and even <a href="http://www.refoamit.com/" target="_blank">specialized recycling places</a> will not take peanuts) and air-filled bags, along with the big cardboard box that contained them. They were all taken in with a smile.</div>
<div>
<br />
I suppose they will get reused directly to pack things again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I heard of this tip while browsing the web,<br />
made a quick phone call to the closest UPS store to confirm that was true,<br />
et voila!<br />
<br />
ps: do make that phone call beforehand though, to make sure your local store does that as well.</div>
</div>
Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-8253342293374713252014-12-02T08:05:00.002-08:002014-12-10T10:13:02.819-08:00A Pattern Language<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHuqPiEv8Iu8hWelD0a8bEx2eXkrTO4cwoXMZ95wUg6eTDP1czDz1XbAFUj8_cKqoX-hr5NHlR1XU_5nCWFc2b-j32sWp9wgBojwQ8Drll9_dSpllwxSG0rxQIRsK2-7qP_3wmGgZOgA/s1600/IMG_7892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHuqPiEv8Iu8hWelD0a8bEx2eXkrTO4cwoXMZ95wUg6eTDP1czDz1XbAFUj8_cKqoX-hr5NHlR1XU_5nCWFc2b-j32sWp9wgBojwQ8Drll9_dSpllwxSG0rxQIRsK2-7qP_3wmGgZOgA/s1600/IMG_7892.jpg" /></a></div>
I cannot thank my friend Charlie enough for showing me this book.<br />
<br />
It is THE BIBLE for anyone interested in <i>real</i> space-making, architecture design & urban planning (which is all one thing stretched at different scales).<br />
<br />
By <i>real</i>, I mean with the principal purpose of <b>creating a sense of place for human beings</b>, as opposed to a lot of design nowadays which is preoccupied with other things (the market, fashionable gestures, editorial potential, expression of ego / money, etc.).<br />
<br />
How does it work? Very simply, it's made of 253 chapters, each describing a pattern of human space-making that has been observed accross time & civilizations, occurring frequently enough that it seemed worthwhile saying: "hum, this has been working for hundreds of years, maybe it's a successful move worth learning about." A lot of them link back to human behavior and the human body - in terms of scale but also our 5 senses (makes sense, right?).<br />
The 253 patterns are ordered from the biggest scale (metropolitan regions) to the smallest scale (your personal belongings), and rated with degrees of certainty (some patterns are unquestionnable, some are more tentative).<br />
Each is illustrated with one or more photographs, as well as sketches.<br />
<br />
It's not a book you read in one go, but more like a reference which you leaf through whenever you have a question (how long should I make my kitchen counters, what is successful outdoor seating, etc.)<br />
<br />
It was written by <a href="http://www.pps.org/reference/calexander/" target="_blank">Christopher Alexander</a>, <a href="http://ced.berkeley.edu/ced/faculty-staff/sara-ishikawa" target="_blank">Sara Ishikawa</a> & <a href="http://www.jswdarch.com/firm/bios.html" target="_blank">Murray Silverstein</a>, and published in 1977. After all these years it is still the same treasure trove of knowledge and founding principles that will allow you to start your own thinking / experimenting. Its only drawback would be that the book is all black and white, and some photographs are pretty old - although what they illustrate isn't obsolete at all.<br />
<br />
SO, as New Year gift to the good people of this world, The Bare Necessities has undertaken the task of creating <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tbnblog/a-pattern-language/" target="_blank">A Pattern Language pinterest album</a> illustrating all 253 patterns, with contemporary examples in full color. Under each photo you'll find a short quote summarizing the essence of the pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGyfM4qt8H2bqsIY2SMQqAXnGTo-BVBz709ncz_vn0tt_Q5vBMa3XwRMUtvyExB7ar0ol_hw3vlhYcfBhxL3OBo8cgGG-eqL0TnE2Tje8ge_XkAEFld4GBUMxQ2t5ghnKadri3YwS88M/s1600/new+pint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGyfM4qt8H2bqsIY2SMQqAXnGTo-BVBz709ncz_vn0tt_Q5vBMa3XwRMUtvyExB7ar0ol_hw3vlhYcfBhxL3OBo8cgGG-eqL0TnE2Tje8ge_XkAEFld4GBUMxQ2t5ghnKadri3YwS88M/s1600/new+pint.jpg" /></a></div>
Happy space-making! Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-1982214708115883112014-11-29T21:01:00.002-08:002014-12-03T06:27:08.906-08:00how to get rid of stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsAoACp0c2U7g0wr3GncLRc8rt-0nSs6ZQgvXpcAe58ed7Sm2uAY1XD1ERnO8wGgvjZd_HuJDDj7jdMoiTiJD04MXjNA3_p3NeOwdIfiOiWC81huNaARMWl9CU3bpbIukBU6SthNAKPQ/s1600/truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsAoACp0c2U7g0wr3GncLRc8rt-0nSs6ZQgvXpcAe58ed7Sm2uAY1XD1ERnO8wGgvjZd_HuJDDj7jdMoiTiJD04MXjNA3_p3NeOwdIfiOiWC81huNaARMWl9CU3bpbIukBU6SthNAKPQ/s1600/truck.jpg" /></a></div>
It's shocking how quick & easy it is to <b>buy</b> something,<br />
and how awfully difficult it is to <b>get rid of</b> anything.<br />
<br />
I've found that the biggest hurdles to feeling comfortable participating in the second-hand economy are <b>lack of information </b>and<b> lack of habit</b>. So let's get rid of these first obstacles right now with a little how-to guide.<br />
<br />
0. Know that getting rid of objects will likely <b>make you a little bit of money</b>, be it in cash or tax-deductions (most donations are tax-deductible). It will also free up storage space in your life, physically and mentally, which is great. <br />
<br />
1. <b>Dedicate a place </b>for all the objects you feel are irrelevant in your life (depending on size, it can be a bag, a box or a corner in a room).<br />
<br />
2. <b>Pile up</b> these objects there until their volume or quantity calls for action.<br />
<br />
3. Meanwhile, do the <b>research</b> part (a one-time ordeal):<br />
<br />
- do a web search to locate the closest <b>thrift stores </b>that accepts donations.<br />
The most well-known in the US are <a href="http://www.goodwill.org/donate-and-shop/" target="_blank">Goodwill</a> and <a href="http://satruck.org/?_ga=1.206504342.482882075.1417317449&cm_mc_uid=26629834100914173174501&cm_mc_sid_51410000=1417317450" target="_blank">The Salvation Army</a>, but your city might also have a local chain of thrift stores. Some of these chains offer pick-up services, either for free or a small fee, if you schedule it enough in advance - which is great if you cannot do the drop-off yourself! <br />
<br />
- also keep an eye out for <b>donation boxes</b> when you're in town. Sometimes they are located close to supermarkets, which is convenient on your way to grocery shopping. They usually are made for clothes, shoes or books (make sure to check beforehand).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0G73XUAlU4AgPARc3ZYlrrIGzAsvIAaNFgc2zkH4gdtCE3gTaA4QPS6yGpnYNJqHF-Fr0UAtqtolQJG4qTnQuTF5j381HsmENS0ZEPGl3H4WkFmLzui1B0z2EZ5kqfxsYPwLKwxChkk/s1600/boxes+tj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0G73XUAlU4AgPARc3ZYlrrIGzAsvIAaNFgc2zkH4gdtCE3gTaA4QPS6yGpnYNJqHF-Fr0UAtqtolQJG4qTnQuTF5j381HsmENS0ZEPGl3H4WkFmLzui1B0z2EZ5kqfxsYPwLKwxChkk/s1600/boxes+tj.jpg" /></a></div>
- also check-out your city's website, or call <b>city hall</b> to learn about their <b>donations / recycling programs </b>(for example, our town has a page that links to all the local places that accept book donations)<br />
<br />
- additionally, you can register at your local <b><a href="https://www.freecycle.org/" target="_blank">Freecycle</a> </b>chapter. It's a non-profit network of people who give stuff out for free. Super easy, basically a list of OFFER / WANTED from folks in the same town.<br />
<br />
- if there are <b>universities</b> near you, chances are they have a <b>student furniture exchange program</b> or a <b>swap fest</b> at the beginning & end of the academic year. Call the schools or look online for such possibilities. <br />
<br />
- last but not least, you might wish to <b>sell</b> some of your objects, in which case your first 2 options would probably be your local <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites" target="_blank">craiglist</a> and then <a href="http://www.ebay.com/" target="_blank">ebay</a>. (note: craigslist also has a free category). Oh, and of course <b>local vintage stores</b> for clothing & accessories. And lastly, your very own <b>garage sale</b> if you feel so enclined.<br />
<br />
4. Decide which of these options are the <b>most convenient and/or interesting to you</b>.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Get your objects ready</b>, i.e. put them in the state of cleanliness in which YOU would like to receive them. <br />
<br />
6. <b>ACT</b> !!! Do the drop-off / set up your meetings / go bargain at the vintage store / set up that selling table in your driveway. On your way to work, or as a weekend routine, or however it pleases you. As long as it gets DONE.<br />
<br />
7. Rejoice for the good deed done, and also know that <b>this effort will eventually dwindle and stop</b> if you reach your own equilibrium at home - i.e. at some point, hopefully, you won't need to declutter anymore (I'm not there yet). The good news is, getting rid of stuff the right way is <b>work</b> - which makes you think real hard next time you consider an impulse purchase.<br />
<br />
8. Now that you know all the tricks, it becomes easy as pie to <b>shop second-hand</b> yourself for future needs. <br />
<br />
Note: tax-deductions linked to donations are not based on their retail price, but on their <b>current value </b>as objects. (ie: a very expensive pair of shoes might be valued just a little bit more than a cheap pair of shoes) The amounts might seem <a href="http://satruck.org/donation-value-guide" target="_blank">surprisingly low</a>, which can be disappointing but also a good reminder of how relative the value of things is. (hey, all of them are shoes - actually I don't totally agree with that, but that's a long conversation for later).<br />
<br />
UPDATE: Building materials get re-used too! A lot of places have centers where you / your contractor can drop off materials and fixtures in good working order (old kitchen tiles, washbasins, etc). Just search "<b>building material recycling center</b>" + the name of your city on the web to locate the closest one.Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-75123662628016640572014-09-05T04:19:00.000-07:002014-10-27T15:40:07.587-07:00the book book<div style="text-align: center;">
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The way one could describe most low tech :DBare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-91038455398189735122014-08-28T17:23:00.001-07:002014-11-17T12:22:17.238-08:0012 objects to stay clean<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZxyBpaLOJVLGl65legJR_8oEuzd-b2IlFuzHTOIwfptyBdCnFoJ8tkpRYh53sUnhJJy8F_YWlYBhEw8Smay1PrKyukL-WNGGxLMPPVQVRKoZv2WYlTsdBPADDwoCc2Cs7F6LIZpfKac/s1600/clean_objects+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZxyBpaLOJVLGl65legJR_8oEuzd-b2IlFuzHTOIwfptyBdCnFoJ8tkpRYh53sUnhJJy8F_YWlYBhEw8Smay1PrKyukL-WNGGxLMPPVQVRKoZv2WYlTsdBPADDwoCc2Cs7F6LIZpfKac/s1600/clean_objects+small.jpg" /></a><br />
This is the result of my trying to reduce to the max when it comes to the realm of keeping a clean body.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Remember the <a href="http://thebarenecessitiesblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/object-peripheries.html" target="_blank">object diagram</a>? </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95OpBz5cswtoW9cPywaMe5nGFkYQeS-8DnXU6KyMkUdr-oRZPsq31-eLBJT9IKNGK6nlMsre2WOQMdnF5S5egE3qoOyBaFl82hEQgXO0iot8Rs0i4htcnLRgRG9v30B44hV7vD9Tjbb4/s1600/22+OD+whole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95OpBz5cswtoW9cPywaMe5nGFkYQeS-8DnXU6KyMkUdr-oRZPsq31-eLBJT9IKNGK6nlMsre2WOQMdnF5S5egE3qoOyBaFl82hEQgXO0iot8Rs0i4htcnLRgRG9v30B44hV7vD9Tjbb4/s1600/22+OD+whole.jpg" /></a><br />
Each circle represents a realm of objects, from the most necessary to the least - a very personal ordering of course, for other people this might be different.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIGjC-CHDFuHL5vvcZY6J2VRlon1BQzFMDzD99O_8DSDxDhl6aUcWxuB68J4TSHaYg7pbZqUOwP9IvD-22ojskF0UAr3xKl37jiZ1xbnGOlFjbrxDH8rjHpCHletzE7gzAYYYkkMc-iU/s1600/22+OD+zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIGjC-CHDFuHL5vvcZY6J2VRlon1BQzFMDzD99O_8DSDxDhl6aUcWxuB68J4TSHaYg7pbZqUOwP9IvD-22ojskF0UAr3xKl37jiZ1xbnGOlFjbrxDH8rjHpCHletzE7gzAYYYkkMc-iU/s1600/22+OD+zoom.jpg" /></a><br />
I am starting with CLEAN, just because. ('Begin anywhere', John Cage said)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOQfKYlfufTCnai22FOVAP4UMgjX1AS2cVVK0jokMGj6kA9QLOOJQHsb_AEEiatmGWCW7x4cO56b0SClquAEGdyd3w9fxKBjabrFJ0ftV2_3ds0hjAtC4WxWr5xemB4A0r0cgZm0eAGI/s1600/22+OD+object+names-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOQfKYlfufTCnai22FOVAP4UMgjX1AS2cVVK0jokMGj6kA9QLOOJQHsb_AEEiatmGWCW7x4cO56b0SClquAEGdyd3w9fxKBjabrFJ0ftV2_3ds0hjAtC4WxWr5xemB4A0r0cgZm0eAGI/s1600/22+OD+object+names-01.jpg" /></a><br />
Here are the 12 object types which I still need and use today in order to be clean.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. soap</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. toothpaste</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. toothbrush</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. dental floss</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. big towel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. small towel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. cotton swab</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8. toilet paper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9. tissues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10. pads</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11. liners</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
12. nail file </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I say 'object types' because some of these come in numbers (alternate towels, hundreds of cotton swabs, etc). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's neither perfect nor totally frugal, nor waste free yet. But I am happy about the absence of plastic bottles (hurray bar soap).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Details in upcoming post! </div>
Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-26753912051706807092014-08-23T23:21:00.005-07:002014-11-17T12:23:08.806-08:00magical hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5Y-_V5gV5_v2qudUFuzCKhIHzgqe2EOf06KqQc2wO5K6G3GtK_wJ0H6MQm9569xcFME4ufe8Y0c0tAL3z23Uy9AI_UUgytcuVwuMhwNL71Fvoj5uqCZFtrxoN7AKpGIr8X6TCwQBNYg/s1600/cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5Y-_V5gV5_v2qudUFuzCKhIHzgqe2EOf06KqQc2wO5K6G3GtK_wJ0H6MQm9569xcFME4ufe8Y0c0tAL3z23Uy9AI_UUgytcuVwuMhwNL71Fvoj5uqCZFtrxoN7AKpGIr8X6TCwQBNYg/s1600/cf.jpg" /></a></div>
Just saw <a href="http://www.gardnermuseum.org/contemporary_art/exhibitions/current_exhibitions/carla_fernandez_the_barefoot_designer" target="_blank">this exhibition</a> about mexican clothing designer <a href="http://www.carlafernandez.com/" target="_blank">Carla Fernández</a>.<br />
<br />
Few thoughts:<br />
- the most amazing part was to watch videos of craftswomen and craftsmen all over Mexico, most of them from various indigenous groups, each specializing in a technique of embroidery / dying / weaving / etc. <b>The things people manage to make by hand, with the simplest tools</b> (for example the backstrap loom made of light wooden sticks), <b>are wonderful</b>. I saw felt being chiselled in a way so fine (and so environmentally benign) that it would put any lasercutter to shame.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJN4n4YP8QDUNGYmQofSnnvqg_ksqa62RmxeFdjIr-5xCAQBXu189XB75gGUobEBApbkO9epBzecF6yD17Imb7VjE1wGNMykwC54R4ozGIkN7NVW5Nwhdt5aibB-NaxzNfHoo_tNVlWg/s1600/cf2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJN4n4YP8QDUNGYmQofSnnvqg_ksqa62RmxeFdjIr-5xCAQBXu189XB75gGUobEBApbkO9epBzecF6yD17Imb7VjE1wGNMykwC54R4ozGIkN7NVW5Nwhdt5aibB-NaxzNfHoo_tNVlWg/s1600/cf2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>this thread is marked with a simple wooden roller dipped in color</i></div>
<br />
- Carla Fernandez is a good story teller with an interesting path - even though her process is not in itself that revolutionary (- similar to the luxury goods industry in France for example, Hermes bag model, takes time & costs lots; also similar to Frida Kahlo's approach to clothing), I especially appreciated her going back to time-old mexican rectangular patterns and showcasing her co-designers / makers so prominently.<br />
<br />
-<u> unresolved questions:</u><br />
1. <b>when you produce 'fashion', does that imply a loss of meaning</b> - i.e. the work of these craftsmen becomes decorative / subservient to market aesthetics, whereas traditionally it was infused with meaning? e.g. an asymetric tank top adorned with traditional pompoms<br />
<br />
2. despite a discourse valuating crafts and ethics, <b>is subscribing to the codes of current fashion</b> (the exhibit showed mostly skinny, predominantly white models wearing the clothes), <b>while preserving the good old social pyramid</b> (white designer, indigenous labor, hip urban stores & international clientele) <b>really that radical?</b> In <a href="http://www.ecofashionworld.com/Designer-Profile/TALLER-FLORA-FUTURE-FOLK.html" target="_blank">this interview</a> Carla Fernandez manages to talk in consecutive sentences about 'a broad responsibility to our planet' and then that her collections are being sold all over the globe ('Mexico, USA, London, and Japan'. hellooo, carbon footprint?).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBRrcxJwytlqx4XJFcXVWaqizYRoa9wtBDNaIsuqkKELLhR07-uvJhG7vUDur3hXic1jlIT5OdlJQsZV4N5jaWKusP0mnAcsyitKS8-44ySvlJM0J7nDkrxOrosjKev2oukl3t9LRMI0/s1600/image9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBRrcxJwytlqx4XJFcXVWaqizYRoa9wtBDNaIsuqkKELLhR07-uvJhG7vUDur3hXic1jlIT5OdlJQsZV4N5jaWKusP0mnAcsyitKS8-44ySvlJM0J7nDkrxOrosjKev2oukl3t9LRMI0/s1600/image9.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnWNWg-JiEeRJVx-63VEW-ZSWms4QxWR74DCm2W1583Okzl6tQ01UZwinvF7hslEWM0Y0ah3zzGCeE3X9kDLaY8Y1y98bDibsR_bVEE50CV8YjO1ze5bJGdzEdyghCR_Ty5hA56eieVk/s1600/image21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnWNWg-JiEeRJVx-63VEW-ZSWms4QxWR74DCm2W1583Okzl6tQ01UZwinvF7hslEWM0Y0ah3zzGCeE3X9kDLaY8Y1y98bDibsR_bVEE50CV8YjO1ze5bJGdzEdyghCR_Ty5hA56eieVk/s1600/image21.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZNM2knwv66AfZvojAdns-90-9Ef_Qiz4YkvUJChSbAzqCWHpDyoq1bHXV-CPqbcaPP0wXZYNiYO_SjGwS_hiLXM2xoQ9ypIrvvppAO4Cla2NQrFS4EVXsrnoFD-4HyAMkiOzZWlHgbY/s1600/image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZNM2knwv66AfZvojAdns-90-9Ef_Qiz4YkvUJChSbAzqCWHpDyoq1bHXV-CPqbcaPP0wXZYNiYO_SjGwS_hiLXM2xoQ9ypIrvvppAO4Cla2NQrFS4EVXsrnoFD-4HyAMkiOzZWlHgbY/s1600/image2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> photos from http://carlafernandez.com</span></i></div>
<br />
3. <b>what prevents us from wearing the
clothes OF the indians directly?</b> without the need to 'adapt' their
patterns to something that would be called the 'fashionable' or
'contemporary' world. Historic or traditional clothing can be free and fresh and amazingly contemporary on its own. and sometimes much more functional.<br />
<br />Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-67837162985735520562014-08-14T20:46:00.004-07:002014-11-17T12:26:11.350-08:00the gift of trash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0_MgpfLkjXvBeBZxBwrEu6CNxcLJmuhlNcmfamPAPH2QNkMKr6dZh5JJL76xG0P5-JjuQ7m4PIw9f0WzKxjiyOK3vmb5u5LIGbDXnwkHKTnduPSbsAfzlb9AFMwTlOBQ9o1j980AIy4/s1600/aluminum.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0_MgpfLkjXvBeBZxBwrEu6CNxcLJmuhlNcmfamPAPH2QNkMKr6dZh5JJL76xG0P5-JjuQ7m4PIw9f0WzKxjiyOK3vmb5u5LIGbDXnwkHKTnduPSbsAfzlb9AFMwTlOBQ9o1j980AIy4/s1600/aluminum.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/breatheindigital/4968822257/in/photolist-8z5vKg-dpC3C-8Ys3eb-a1bpus-61W2ht-61ZMb1-dGCKxE-fRQpkB-fRRoPu-fRQnsZ-7Jb4BF-48TafC-dGCKjL-dGxmfv-dGxm7H-5U274t-5U26eR-7sWj1E-7L5zX1-8xiHLk-68UxLV-7hAA8Z-7hEwBL-7hEwJq-7hAzYV-7hEwZy-7hExou-7hAzKa-7hExef-7hAAnr-7hExu7-7hEwRC-7Pp7Cz-7TMPCt-akc1qU-c59xUo-fRRkRz-fRRmK8-4WJH6o-dVjKji-dVqkbA-54XYgL-odGWg5-7v9xxo-BuMdv-hmhPQV-a891KE-9eY6iZ-9dSgy6-bM9ttF" target="_blank">Ryan Hyde</a></i></div>
<br />
This type of situation has been happening to me a few times now and shows how FAR FAR AWAY from societal awareness we are when it comes to wasteful habits:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was eating at a burrito chain, sitting inside the restaurant after having carefully chosen the meal that came in a paper plate only, using my own metal cutlery and fabric napkin. Realizing I had forgotten to take tortilla, I returned to the counter and asked for a single tortilla. The behind-the-counter lady threw one on the grill for re-heat, and then proceeded to grab a piece of aluminum foil to wrap it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Swiftly I interfered and told her that I didn't need the aluminum, since I was sitting a few feet away and would eat it right away anyhow. She stopped mid-way with a question-mark look, when a behind-the-counter guy who had overheard me came forward, grabbed the tortilla and asked: 'you don't want aluminum?' I repeated 'No, I don't need it, I am going to eat it right away'. <i>Looking at me straight in the eye, he took the tortilla, pulled out the aluminum foil, and proceeded to wrap it very intently, saying 'no, no I will wrap it for you'. </i>He then triomphantly handed me the tortilla doubly wrapped in aluminum and paper, with a big smile on his face. During this gesture in slow motion I was caught between incredulity - at how somebody could disregard so blatantly a request I had expressed 2 or 3 times clearly - and how absurd it was, that they were thinking they were doing me a big generous favor by handing me a totally unecessary piece of <a href="http://1800recycling.com/2010/11/aluminum-extraction-recycling-environment" target="_blank">one of the most polluting metals on earth.</a></div>
<br />
(enter this graph, created from data found on <a href="http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/embodied-energy/" target="_blank">greenspec</a>:)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpKKcMvSb29G4snLS3RTeG7OAYn9_WrLeIpuCGJCOgFsMra5TAE9KITJiyOQ0ivZKBPEGvGhRlx9bQsrIXD8vlVf2nZF_mkbrYCUrZ398qUP2q0A17ezY1OKcuGdWvQJ9SXuWILNz4yw/s1600/embodied+energy+graph.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpKKcMvSb29G4snLS3RTeG7OAYn9_WrLeIpuCGJCOgFsMra5TAE9KITJiyOQ0ivZKBPEGvGhRlx9bQsrIXD8vlVf2nZF_mkbrYCUrZ398qUP2q0A17ezY1OKcuGdWvQJ9SXuWILNz4yw/s1600/embodied+energy+graph.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>EMBODIED ENERGY OF MATERIALS</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
See that lonely point floating up high, waaay above all other materials? - yep, that's aluminum. and yes, this is <i>including</i> recycled aluminum)</div>
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<br /></div>
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I also remember the flight attendant who pushed new plastic glasses on me as I was saying I could perfectly well continue using the one I already had, 'oh but darling we have plenty here, let me give you a new one.' Oh thank you madam for your great generosity. I love plastic so much, you're making my day.</div>
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The sad thing is, these people were really trying to be nice. They were really expressing care in over-wrapping or providing something for me. And the awful fact is, our current material situation forces them to apply this ancient, timeless show of human kindness to very unhealthy objects.</div>
<br />
<b>Seriously. I'd rather eat cold tortilla.</b><br />
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Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-39576581695115844052014-08-13T09:50:00.000-07:002014-10-27T15:12:37.038-07:00paper tape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kc3L0L-Y3o9796iyCzxbh5_HOV6EhjlRM8R28WwH3-US-oE8kXg-hRINvR1QMVu_xwDh5hHunOvootrKYK_oZ4syimxrDy5qa1sT_jFo06pqn-7qwOGrXSWr6a74VH1V7TuFnmz07gQ/s1600/paper+tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kc3L0L-Y3o9796iyCzxbh5_HOV6EhjlRM8R28WwH3-US-oE8kXg-hRINvR1QMVu_xwDh5hHunOvootrKYK_oZ4syimxrDy5qa1sT_jFo06pqn-7qwOGrXSWr6a74VH1V7TuFnmz07gQ/s1600/paper+tape.jpg" /></a><br />
In my country, <i>Scotch</i>® has sadly become a generic name for adhesive tape.</div>
</div>
Meaning, when I learned to talk and designate objects with words, the only word I had for adhesive tape was 'scotch': <i>'I wish to make a gift wrap for this, where is the scotch?'</i><br />
<br />
Also the only kind of 'scotch' that I was ever aware of being used by normal people was either clear, translucent, or brown for heavy-duty, and seemed made of plastic, smelled a particular smell, and you needed a blade to cut it, mostly under the form of a 'scotch holder', itself made of plastic (my parents owned a heavy one - the master scotch holder - which was filled with sand and sounded like the sea when you tilted it. But I digress.)<br />
<br />
Then at the ripe old age of twenty-nine I happened to walk into a U-Haul store to get moving boxes.<br />
And discovered <b>paper tape</b>.<br />
<br />
It sounds like a small thing. But you wouldn't believe the epiphany that this was.<br />
Paper tape is <b>strong</b>.<br />
Paper tape <b>can be cut with only your fingers</b>.<br />
Paper tape <b>does not make a horrible screech when pulled out of the roll</b>.<br />
Paper tape is friendly to the <b>touch</b>.<br />
Paper tape seems made of <b>simpler, less polluting</b> materials than clear tape<br />
<br />
[from what I gather, clear tape can be made of plastic film or cellophane - the latter being 100% biodegradable but involving <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellophane" target="_blank">a polluting production process</a>. I want to read this article about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemistry_of_adhesive_tapes" target="_blank">the chemistry of adhesive tape</a>. Not sure how the adhesive itself fares environmentally, need more research]<br />
<br />
Also I was angry at having to accept that a company had managed to monopolize the very definition of what an object was/should be - up to its name, and successfully pushed its materiality onto my life without my being aware of it.<br />
<br />
How many more ingrained habits do I have, that were created by a company to sell goods?<br />
<br />
Oh, and the ever important question: do I even <i>really</i> need to use tape, any kind of tape, in my life, or could I just do away with it?Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-91699392504607662872014-08-11T10:46:00.000-07:002014-10-27T15:13:48.273-07:00the age of low tech<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="video-container">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x20m2hy" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x20m2hy_entretien-avec-philippe-bihouix_news" target="_blank">Entretien avec Philippe Bihouix</a> by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Mediapart" target="_blank">Mediapart</a></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Just ordered <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.seuil.com/livre-9782021160727.htm" target="_blank">this book</a> and very impatient to read it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Philippe Bihouix (an engineer specializing in metals) describes so clearly the core problem with our consumption right now. Here is a summary:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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--- </div>
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Sorting our trash in the right bins does not redeem our current consumption level. </div>
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Why? Because <b>the idea that we'll reach a circular economy of total recycling is nothing but a myth.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- First because of <b>di</b><b>sper</b><b>sive use</b>: we don't know how to salvage metals that are used in their chemical form (in colorings, inks, plastic additives). </div>
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- Second because of <b>downgraded use</b>: thousands of metallic alloys get blended together during recycling, therefore can only be reused in lower quality steels. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The highest you go on the hi-tech scale, the more you are consuming rare ressources. All these metals are used in a partially dispersive way. On most metals we are between 0 and 5% of recycling capability - not true for 'great' metals such as copper, aluminum, but on the other precious ressources we are moving towards absolute dispersion, with the ultimate phase being nano-technologies. Hi-tech goods (smartphones, computers) as well as the technologies used in renewable energy production (windmills, solar panels, hydogen powered-car) are of great concern. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This doesn't mean we should stop recycling and go back to fossil fuels.<br />
But we need to aknowledge that <b>the </b><b>technical solutions cur</b><b>rently offer</b><b>ed to us are simply beyond</b><b> realistic implementation</b>, and that <b>we'll only get out of this through the bottom, i.e. by embracing low-tech</b>.<br />
<br />
Which would look something like this: <b>reviewing and editing our needs, </b>so that we <b>ch</b><b>o</b><b>ose</b> the reduction of our material consumption, rather than wait until it happens against our will. Then, <b>filling these needs with objects which </b><b>prevent recycling waste: obj</b><b>ects more simple, more monomaterial, easily disassemblable and reassemblable, more modular, more reparable</b>, with all that this implies at a societal level. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The thesis of the book is that <b>we are capable of reaching a level of comfort and civilization which is technically sustainable. Not going back to the stone age necessarily, but maybe to the medieval age - with the dentist.</b></div>
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---</div>
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So great to find somebody who can articulate and document a situation that you've personally been trying and struggling to express for a while. </div>
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Hopefully this will be translated in english soon. </div>
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Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651556838958358074.post-76393461462802222112014-08-08T15:02:00.002-07:002015-08-02T18:02:26.426-07:00DRY GOODS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM-vVRib_z6GXHnuWCIKift4fXWz0zptcsa5-zrxaS1nizzdJnUEyael5AFDJaNYSRVx9pFRESTRvUcyz7aICQNjTbFhzrVIBA1QFkO0CHZyr90OD3elGRkTt0fcO4PYYTpPRreI1lZg/s1600/powder1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM-vVRib_z6GXHnuWCIKift4fXWz0zptcsa5-zrxaS1nizzdJnUEyael5AFDJaNYSRVx9pFRESTRvUcyz7aICQNjTbFhzrVIBA1QFkO0CHZyr90OD3elGRkTt0fcO4PYYTpPRreI1lZg/s1600/powder1.jpg" /></a></div>
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I don't know why it took so long for me to realize such an obvious thing: whenever possible, buy the powdered or dry form of items for which it really doesn't make much difference.<br />
Purchasing the water content of diluted ingredients just doesn't make sense. </div>
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The density of water is about <a href="http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/water-properties-d_1573.html" target="_blank">60 lb / cubic foot </a>(about 1000 kg / cubic meter).</div>
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<a href="http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/56329.html" target="_blank">1 gallon</a> weighs about 8 lb (3.8 kg) and takes up 231 cubic inches (3,800 cubic centimeters)</div>
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<b>Think of all the energy spent in transporting mostly water</b> (80% of liquid laundry detergent, according to <a href="http://www.rodalenews.com/powder-laundry-detergent-vs-liquid-laundry-detergent" target="_blank">this article</a>).</div>
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<b>Laundry</b></div>
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Some will argue that powder leaves unmelted residue on clothes.<br />
That is very true and there is a very simple fix: <b>dissolve the laundry powder yourself before adding to the wash.</b> I use an empty yogurt container and a used plastic knife (I usually dislike those intensely but they are perfect for this use). A few stirs and voila! you're done and it was fun.</div>
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Bonus: if it's not liquid, it doesn't need to come in a plastic bottle. Your waste can be reduced to just a cardboard box. One less landfill issue to worry about.</div>
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<b>Food </b></div>
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Recently glossed over a <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2014/07/lay-off-almond-milk-ignorant-hipsters" target="_blank">rather scathing article</a> about almond milk and other plant-based milks (which are my bread and butter, pun intended).<b> </b>They are right about the purchasing of mostly water. You know what? One can also buy <a href="http://www.ecomil.com/en/sin-lactosa-sans-lactose-dairy-free/ecomil-almond-milk-no-added-sugars-instant-bio-400-g/" target="_blank">powdered almond, coconut, etc. milks</a>. The box seems expensive because it's so much at a time once dissolved, but I bet it's worth the investment.</div>
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<b>Paint</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ35Gfp7o8s53cd0xcjW1vIC9GBlWD0TnwUUmRCNppQA0CBxU5cL3IA5NSt0sc3Z7kLb9cghd9oCf0NZLknbfADom_TMy5oGi1a3EpS0aY87V2ja-XH2DuNOd9KtF_KuZpfDiBElI_NM/s1600/mp3+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ35Gfp7o8s53cd0xcjW1vIC9GBlWD0TnwUUmRCNppQA0CBxU5cL3IA5NSt0sc3Z7kLb9cghd9oCf0NZLknbfADom_TMy5oGi1a3EpS0aY87V2ja-XH2DuNOd9KtF_KuZpfDiBElI_NM/s1600/mp3+small.jpg" /></a></b></div>
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I love <a href="http://www.milkpaint.com/" target="_blank">Milk Paint</a> which comes in small packages of powdered color (pigments mixed with milk protein and lime) to which you just need to add water. Seems like a safe and environmentally friendly option.</div>
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So yeah. <b>Dry goods.</b></div>
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Bare Necessitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00820100339350003116noreply@blogger.com5